Juno

During its early moments, Jason Reitmans 2007 feature threatens to choke on its quotation-marks catchphrases. But as we get to know the family and friends of our pregnant 16-year-old heroine (Ellen Page), the movie calms down and finds its centerno, its heart. Indeed, once it works its way through the first-timers lookatme! snark, Juno gradually evolves into a thing of beauty and grace. By the end its unexpectedly moving without ever once trolling for crocodile tears, and full of uniformly astounding performances (from J.K. Simmons, especially, as Junos supportive dad). Diablo Cody won the Oscar for her debut script. (R) ROBERT WILONSKY